The evolution of the UK’s only all-disabled British Superbike team, True Heroes Racing
Photo by Ian Hopgood
True Heroes Racing, the UK’s first motorcycle race team dedicated to supporting wounded, injured and sick UK service personnel and veterans, are set to celebrate their 12th year on the track in style.
The team will be taking part in some of the country’s biggest motorcycle competitions such as the Bennetts British Superbike Superstock 1000 and the Quattro British Supersport Championship.
But before the season gets off the start line, we’re looking back at some of the huge milestones and achievements the team have had in recent years.
When did True Heroes Racing launch?
True Heroes Racing was launched back in 2012. The concept of creating a competitive motorcycle race team formed of wounded, injured and sick UK personnel and veterans came about when serving Royal Navy warrant officer Phil Spencer decided to form a team.
Their first ever race meeting was at Castle Combe with the North Gloucester Road Racing Club in September 2012. Their first rider was double below-knee amputee and Army Veteran, Murray Hambro.
Fast forward to April 2013 and the team were competing at their first British Superbike Championship event at Brands Hatch in the Triumph Triple Challenge with Hambro still at the forefront of the team’s expeditions.
Celebrations aplenty
True Heroes have made history several times during their 11-year existence. In May 2014 they became the first disabled team to compete on the world stage at the UK round of the World Superbike Championships.
Seven months later they were runners-up in The Sun Military Awards in the ‘Support to the Armed Forces’ category, after being nominated by the general public.
They also celebrated a couple of major milestones in recent years, with 2022 marking ten years since the team was launched and 2023 meaning it had been a decade since they first competed at British Superbike Championships.
Launching grassroots programme
After launching their Grassroots Rider Programme in 2020 following the completion of the beneficiary ACU Race Licence Assessment, the programme has continued to grow year on year.
The team’s Associate rider programme has also expanded, with a number of riders getting involved at different levels. This not only facilitates more visibility and exposure for their brand, but it also highlights those who specifically support this initiative.
True Heroes Racing encourages social inclusion and uses physical training and endurance activities to help boost confidence, inspire others and aid the rehabilitation and recovery of WIS personnel and veterans.
True Heroes also work in conjunction with the Defence Medical Rehabilitation Centres, where they provide inspirational respite and holistic rehabilitation activities for military personnel undergoing recovery treatment as well as their families.
Who are True Heroes Racing?
True Heroes Racing are a British motorcycle racing team who compete in some of the most prestigious motorsport competitions in the world, such as the Bennetts British Superbike Superstock 1000 and the Quattro British Supersport Championship competitions, under the guise of the British Superbike Championships series. They are the only all-disabled team to do so.
Their mantra is “to engage, empower and inspire” the disabled and disadvantaged community. They do this through training, mentoring and assistance as part of a team that includes able-bodied and wounded, injured and sick (WIS) UK Service Personnel and veterans, enabling them to take a full and active part in competitive motorsport.
The team works with the Defence Medical Rehabilitation Centres, where they provide inspirational respite and holistic rehabilitation activities for military personnel undergoing recovery treatment and their families.
Fancy the thrill of the track?
Now you know about the wonderful work of True Heroes Racing, perhaps this has whet your appetite and you want to spend a day at a track yourself?
With that in mind, it’s reassuring to know that as well as brilliant bespoke motorcycle insurance deals, Bikesure can organise special cover for track days at affordable and competitive rates. Call us on 0330 123 1028 or book a callback for a quote.
